Subaru Crew Cafe

ateixeira

Well, T100 was small for a full-sizer.

Perhaps Dodge will do better with a "big for its class" approach.

Personally, I think width is key, and for that reason I'd still say the Dakota is not a full sizer, not by today's standards.

-juice

ateixeira

AN has an article about how Nissan's trucks are *not* meeting sales targets. The Titan and Armada, mainly.

That's surprising given how they've done in comparison tests. I think it's the interiors and some cost cutting - resonance is still the #1 issue with Armadas.

I wonder how the Pathfinder and new Frontier will sell, plus the XTerra. On the surface they seem much improved.

-juice

rsholland

but it's not a mid-sizer either. That's why I call it a full-size-lite, like the old T100.

Bob

ateixeira

I'd call it a mid-sizer, long wheelbase. Kinda like the TrailBlazer EXT.

-juice

rsholland

that IMO makes it a full-size-lite. No mid-size to date can carry 4x8s flat on the floor, and I think the new Dakota can do that.

Bob

ateixeira

Well, I guess there is no clear definition of mid-size. That's why I think the Dakota sorta defines it!

-juice

atlgaxt

but if anyone wants some interesting reading, go over to the Armada thread. That is a very active but negative thread, as compared to the active but generally positive Subaru threads we are used to. I hope the Armada problems (the most significant of which is the resonance) are not indicative of bigger problems at Nissan.

ateixeira

It's a shame, they really like their Armadas but some are forced to eat a huge loss and trade for something tolerable. I don't think Nissan has a sure-fire fix for it yet, either.

The Titan is not affected, from what I've read. Maybe it's the huge expanse of sheet metal on the roof of the Armada, 'cause it does affect models without a moonroof slightly more.

My guess is Carlos le cost cutter Ghosn used too-thin sheet metal for that area to save weight and cost, and now it's biting him back.

-juice

rsholland

I'm sure Nissan will figure out the solution, hopefully sooner rather than later.

Bob

atlgaxt

Also, its a rather odd roofline, that looks like it will be copied for the new Pathfinder. I wonder if the shape of the roof has something to do with the problem. Skimming through the board, I also saw other problems with brake rotors and such.

rsholland

I don't think the resonance has anything to do with the shape. Actually the top of the roof is smooth like most SUVs. It's the side window treatment gives the allusion of an odd shape.

Bob

rsholland

I believe this is a list of all US Subie dealers. I'm surprised that there are so many large "snow" states with so few Subie dealers. A state as large as Nebraska has only 2 dealers! Even Vermont (!) has only a few dealers.

http://www.drive.subaru.com/Spr04_StellarPerformers.htm

Bob

paisan

As much as I dislike Ford, it's probably the best small pickup cause it can be had in 4-banger 2wd no-frills models IIRC for like 10-15K max?

-mike

atlgaxt

The 4.0 Sohc with the 5 speed auto on the Ranger / Mazda is also a pretty nice drivetrain that is relatively smooth with decent torque. I've been happy with mine and have not had any problems - two years and over 40k miles (cross my fingers).

I think GM missed the boat with the Colorado / Canyon putting in the five cylinder. I drove one and was not impressed with its low rpm pull. Why couldn't they put their inline six or why couldn't they put the Isuzu 3.5 with direct injection? The lack of a good "truck" engine and the cheesy GM interior would keep these trucks off my replacement list, even if they were designed in conjunction with Isuzu.

dcm61

I don't think that is a list of ALL Subaru Dealers, just the Stellar Performers. My purchasing dealer (Rafferty in Newtown Square, PA) is missing but my servicing dealer (Roberts in Downingtown, PA) made the list. The list is also missing the Dover, DE dealer among others. It's odd that Rafferty didn't make the list but IIRC every other dealer in my area did. Rafferty just did a total facelift of the dealership and they are a Subaru only franchise. They are also supposedly the #1 volume dealer in SE PA.

DaveM

rsholland

The stellar dealers are in boldface in that listing.

Subaru dealers consistently meeting or exceeding owner expectations based on their survey responses are recognized through the Subaru Owner Satisfaction and Loyalty Recognition Program. These dealers are denoted by boldface type

Bob

dcm61

the hardcopy of drive mentioned what the bold face ones where, but I'm not sure. Roberts is a stellar performer but is not in bold.

Take a look at the hard copy and see if it mentions what the bold means.

EDIT: Nevermind. I re-read your last post.

DaveM

robr2

Bob - that isn't a complete list. It's missing at least 2 dealers in greater Boston.

Also just because a state has lots of snow doesn't mean it should have lots of dealers. Population and sales potential are the important factors. Vermont's entire population is less than the population of the city of Boston.

dcm61

I retract the Nevermind.

Subaru Owner Satisfaction and Loyalty Recognition Program. These dealers are denoted by boldface type.

I believe this is recognition beyond the Stellar Performer Certified Dealers program.

dcm61

but it's time to raise the white flag. ;-)

DaveM

rsholland

p0926

I just now read the topic and am ready to jump on Bob's case but he's already raised the white flag! :-)

-Frank P.

P.S. Make another mistake like that Bob and we're revoking your ticket to Vegas :(o)

ldbricker

either, and they are a good dealer. It would be interesting to know what areas Subaru isn't in where they'd like to have a presence. I'd go put one in if I had the funds to do so.

dcm61

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Fund. I just signed up to drive a 530i SMG (Dame Edna special edition) and an X3 3.0i MT ( to add fire to the XT vs. X3 thread ;-) ). Maybe I'll try to test a hunchback (745iL) between drives.

http://www.bmwusa.com/Joy/EventsandPrograms/UDSK/

DaveM

locke2c

hah! notice there is no entry for Wichita, Kansas. coincidence? I think not.

~c

dcm61

The tractors have "snob" appeal in Kansas.

DaveM

goneskiian

There's got to be at least one dealer in Wyoming. I know there aren't very many people in that state, but there's got to be at least one Subie Dealer as it's definitely Subaru country with all the snow they get.

Isn't Wyoming the least populated state? Maybe it's just got the lowest population density. I don't know, and I'm just rattling on because I grew up there. ;-)

-Ian

dcm61

Now that I think about it, Colin was probably referring to Stellar Performing dealers, not BMW's. But my comment still applies to Kansas. They not only have tractors that cost way more than houses, they got one's as big as (or bigger than) houses. ;-)

DaveM

rsholland

If you go to the SOA site, you can do a dealer search for each state.

Bob

p0926

That isn't a complete list of Subaru dealers but only the "Stellar Performer" ones. The boldface ones are further recognized for outstanding owner satisfaction and loyalty.

-Frank P.

ateixeira

Is that a real BMW event, or just a quick test drive at a certain dealer?

The events are fun. I'd try an X3.

FWIW, I think BMW's non-sedans don't look nearly as bad, because the focal point of my criticism lies on the trunks.

In fact, the 5er wagon actually looks OK, minus the eye brows, which I could live with. The X5 and X3 also aren't beautiful but I could tolerate them.

The BMW 7 takes the Aztek award. The 6's trunk is almost as bad. The 5 is pretty bad also.

-juice

-juice

dcm61

Is that a real BMW event, or just a quick test drive at a certain dealer?

It's a mapped out loop at each participating dealer location (I think it was 10 miles at the dealer I drove at last year). They move around the country stopping at different dealers along the way (not sure if they have more than one group of cars spread across the country or not). You drive alone - no salesperson but it's not a track event.

DaveM

locke2c

my local Subaru dealer sucks-- thus me feigning surprise at not finding them on 'the list'.

~c

ateixeira

If you drive alone, it could be loosely considered a track event.

I mean, ever been paisan's co-driver?

LOL

-juice

paisan

I'm signed up! Gonna flog around the SMG 5series and the Manual 5 series. Should be good fun.

-mike

PS: Instructed a guy last weekend at LRP who drove a 530i, drove it around the track a few times, not bad, although the driver has lots of room for improvement.

-mike

twrx

My local subie dealer made the stellar performer list after the destruction of my engine, transmission and clutch in my 2002 WRX and then refusing to give me any kind of good deal to replace it until SOA stepped in to put money into the deal.

TWRX

ateixeira

Keep in mind it may be from the perspective of the parent company, i.e. the dealer that sold the most Bajas, or the most extended warranties.

-juice

kens

"the dealer that sold the most Bajas" Good one. :-)

Ken

robr2

"the dealer that sold the most Bajas" Good one. :-)

There had to be someone that sold 7 or 8 and was declared the Baja Champ!!

ateixeira

You mean they made 8 of them? LOL

-juice

kens

Who said you need to have inventory to sell something?

Okay, enough humor on the expense of our poorly mis-positioned brethren.

Ken

rsholland

http://www.subaru.co.jp/topics/t-2004/fresh_spring_fair2/

Here our choices per model is about half of that.

Bob

volkov

Very interesting! The Forester is listed as using the j20, and the standard Impreza a 1.5L. I'll take the bigger engine and suffer with the limited colours.

Nicholas

c_hunter

One of my coworkers bought a Mercedes C230 Kompressor sports sedan. Man that is one sweet car; I can't remember the last time a 4 door sedan has captivated me like that. It's really beautiful looking inside and out. The shocker to me is that the 230 costs $30-35K nicely equipped (and can be had for close to invoice which is $4-6K less than msrp). It is an inline 4 (with balance shafts and supercharger), and the car is kind of small. But otherwise it's a superb car, drives and handles great, and has plenty of power plus that "made out of finely machined materials" feel you only get from a Mercedes. I see no reason to buy a Saab or Volvo in this price range when you can get an MB. Heck, for $28K-32K, it would be on my shopping list!

Craig

ateixeira

I liked it, too, after the C Spot Drive event Mercedes hosted last year.

The old Kompressor engine, the 2.3l s/c, was awful. Coarse and loud, and not so powerful. The new 1.8l Kompressor is more powerful and a thousand times smoother.

The wife liked it too, she wants to own one eventually, a Benz sedan that is.

The catch? Reliability plagues that model. It would keep me from pulling the trigger.

-juice

twrx

But at the local dealer the Baja has sold well, better than Outbacks as a matter of fact. In fact they even had one of the 2004 turbos in stock that they sold. Right now they have two left over 2003 Baja sports and I have not seen any more 2004's.

paisan

The 230Kompressor was way way underpowered in 4-matic trim for my liking. I drove them all several times at the c-spot event and found the 320 to be adequet but nothing crazy powerful.

-mike

grahampeters

G'day

Worst car I've ever owned! Had a previous generation from new and eventually got rid of it when it broke down 6 times in seven days (all show stoppers and different each day).

Lovely to drvie when it worked but surprisingly poorly built. Boot leaked. windscreen leaked. rear screen leaked. fan worked intermitently. used oil.

All round a good argument for a Subaru. I've had the Outback for longer and so far the worst thing to happen was a door lock actuator going mad temporarily.

Cheers

Graham

ldbricker

and especially the T-Mobile version? I just got one for a b'day present and need some help. I installed the CD and got it to sync one time. It won't sync anymore though. I'm looking for a good online forum for the phone editions and welcome any suggestions. Thanks.

p0926

I seen a couple of Blackberries at work that have had problems syncing. Try uninstalling the software and then reinstalling.

-Frank P.